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Well, if you're aiming for the top schools, the correct answer is none of the above: it's best to get an A in honors. Realistically, you will be competing against people who have your same level of achievements, but who ARE getting As in honors math courses. At that point, it is obvious which person the college will choose.

That being said, I would stay in honors, but really, do bust your butt to try to get an A. Yes, it takes more time and studying, but if you try hard, your chances of getting an A are greatly increased.

^^Yikes, don't be such a spazz. Math isn't easy for everyone. That one genius kid who got a 5 on Calc BC did not set the academic standard for every other student.

If you think with a lot of hard work you can do well in Honors Algebra II, then stay with it. Don't just drop down to regular math because it will be easier. In my opinion, it would be acceptable to drop down if:
1. you did not plan on pursuing a major/career in anything math-related (i.e. art, creative writing), and
2. all of your other classes are hard classes

Hold your horses. While it's true that, for top 40 schools, you'll want an A in Algebra 2, it's not a do-or-die situation. In other words, getting a B in that won't class isn't going to mean rejection to the vast majority of top schools (leave Ivies, Stanford, and MIT out of the picture though). It's just one course, and if a student is humanities-minded and simply detests math, a B+ or even B or B- won't be the straw that breaks the camel's back. For Ivies, unfortunately, getting a B in any subject in your junior year may hurt your chances significantly.

^I know a freshman that's taking AP Calculus BC. His school has little restrictions on taking AP courses. Despite being in 9th grade, he not only knows single variable calculus, but also multivariable calculus and linear algebra, and he's self studying analysis. Yes, it is possible for freshmans to take Calc BC. If you look at CollegeBoard's stats, there was a freshman that took BC one or two years ago.

I know you're going to get a B but are you able to understand the math you're learning in your honors class? If you're getting it then I'd stay there. If you're in over your head then I'd take the regular math. You really shouldn't work too far beyond your ability in math. It all builds upon itself and what's the rush? As other posters have said I think the elite schools will realize that math is a weak area for you and they'll base their decision on other academic areas.

There are in the range of about 5 or 6 every year who do so from my school. 100 is an underestimation.

I know a freshman that's taking AP Calculus BC. His school has little restrictions on taking AP courses.

Geez. What schools do you guys go to? I mean, for a freshman to take Calc BC, they'd have to have taken Calc AB in 8th grade. That's insane. What junior high school would teach 8th-graders calculus? Even the best math-science school in my entire state begins with Algebra II in 9th grade. And even that is impressive.

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